Pascrell, Rothman square off at forum in Paterson

PATERSON — In their first public debate, Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. and Steve Rothman answered questions Thursday night about their unusual political predicament as longtime Democratic colleagues battling to unseat each other in a newly redrawn congressional district.

“The final question is, ‘Who do you want in your fox hole?’” Pascrell said before a crowd of more than 100 people at an hour-long forum at Passaic County Community College.

Rothman seemed to parry that challenge when he said: “If you don’t bring home the money and don’t bring home the projects, but you can talk about it, that’s not being effective. You’ll have to decide, ladies and gentlemen, who will be most effective for you.”

The longtime friends who sometimes address each other as Billy and Stevie, found themselves competing in a primary after the state Congressional Redistricting Commission redrew New Jersey’s congressional districts in December. The new map put Rothman’s hometown of Fair Lawn into a reconfigured 5th District, currently represented by Rep. Scott Garrett. R-Wantage. Rather than wage an uphill battle against Garrett, Rothman elected to move into the redrawn 9th District to take on Pascrell.

Rothman has acknowledged that the campaign is “awkward and difficult” for both men.

Speaking on his home turf, Pascrell, a former Paterson mayor, drew the most applause after some answers.

Pascrell said he would have liked Rothman to take on Garrett in a reconfigured 5th District that now includes Fair Lawn and other parts of Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties.

Rothman of Fair Lawn has said he plans to move to the new 9th district. He is a former mayor of Englewood, which falls within the district’s boundaries.

“My bags are not packed,” Pascrell said, before adding of his opponent: “His bags are packed.”

Later, Pascrell was rewarded with applause when the said the fight would not help President Obama in his reelection battle.

Both candidates said they supported money for job-training programs.

“If we can marshal the efforts to send a man to the moon, and we did, then we can marshal the efforts to get people trained for the future,” Pascrell said.

They were also asked about reparations for black Americans for slavery. Both said it was a complicated issue.

“I’d like to know how, who gets it and who pays for that,” Rothman said. “We are constantly a nation trying to get it right.”